News

18.05.2020advocacy, EAAL

EAEA launches campaign for a continuation of the agenda for adult learning

EAEA has launched a campaign for the continuation of the European Agenda for Adult Learning. The agenda has been central for improving adult learning structures and increasing participation in adult learning, but has not yet been fully implemented in all countries. EAEA believes that a further push for adult education at the European level is needed.

Critical media literacy to fight fake news

As we are becoming more interconnected than ever before, many of us who are away from friends or family are still able to keep in touch, share our news, and look after our loved ones, just online. However, while social media and the internet are letting us share and connect with the people who matter most, it is also a breeding ground for false information and rumours. This is commonly referred to as ‘fake news’. A project coordinated by KVS and our quick tips show how fake news can be unmasked.

EAEA country reports going digital

For a ‘green’ and socially inclusive Erasmus+ programme

The European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA) welcomes the draft report of the European Parliament on effective measures to ‘green’ Erasmus+, Creative Europe and the European Solidarity Corps and calls for a green Erasmus+ programme that puts social inclusion at the forefront.

Resilience of individuals, communities and economies: we need more adult learning and education in and after the coronavirus pandemic

All of Europe and many regions of the world beyond are severely affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The daily lives of millions of people have changed radically, and many are worried about their health, jobs and well-being. Across Europe, adult education providers are forced to cancel or virtually continue courses. The loss of the financial basis through these measures has dramatic consequences for course providers, the sustainability of institutions, staff and, last but not least, learners. However, to mitigate the consequences of the social and economic crisis that will follow this pandemic, adult education and training will be needed more than ever.

Is learning still fun?

For many of us, the ongoing pandemic means being stuck at home, left with an overabundance of time and at the mercy of a decent internet connection. It would seem like a perfect time to take up some learning; isn’t that what everybody else is doing? Yet if we sign up for a new online course, aren’t we just bending to the pressure of still being productive when everything else is on pause? Can we even enjoy participating in community theatre if, of all places, it has somehow moved online? In other words: is learning still fun? We dedicate this important topic all the attention it deserves, and have called on three experts to help us with the conundrum.

Everyone counts: this is what this crisis teaches us

“You live and learn”, they say. No one has ever lived through a situation as the current Coronavirus pandemic, and so, we should probably all find something to learn from it. If each and every one of us takes time to reflect upon different philosophical questions, appreciate different aspects of our existence, and make a number of good resolutions for our lives after this lockdown, I hope that we will all learn one simple – yet powerful – message: in this world, everyone counts. Our EAEA Project Manager shares her reflections on the Coronavirus crisis.

Outreach and access to learning during the coronavirus pandemic

One question currently unites all educational sectors: how can learning and teaching be organised during the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, and how can marginalised groups be included? Measures to contain the outbreak forced schools, universities, adult education centres and other educational institutions to suspend all face-to-face learning offers. Barriers to learning that have existed for learners from vulnerable groups before the pandemic are reinforced through the rules for “social distancing”, report EAEA members from all over Europe.

Digital learning as a challenge and opportunity

As individuals and families across Europe find themselves “social distancing” or in quarantine at home, many have had to adapt to new ways of working and learning remotely. At the same time, a large number of e-learning offers for children, young people and adults have been advertised in social media. Should we be recognising this time, while strange and scary, as an opportunity for self-improvement, for personal development, for empowerment through e-learning?

How adult education can promote better public health

In such unprecedented times as now, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the world calls for new approaches to health and modern medicine. Non-formal adult learning provides an opportunity to create better health practices year-round. Not to mention how adults with a good understanding of their health and their health choices are more likely to follow medical advice closely: something exceptionally important right now to protect us, our families, and our communities.